Skate ramps in Lower rec. Grass cutting in cemetery and signs/painting of gates.

Commercial vehicles in St Andrews Park. Reopening of RS201.

The PCSOs gave details of how they could be contacted by residents. There will be a police surgery every six weeks. They will be looking at the parking problems at the school. Training can be given for speed watch.

5. Reconvene meeting and approve minutes of 8th September meeting.

It was proposed by MJ, seconded by CH, that items 26, 27 and 28 on the Agenda be held in private. All agreed It was then proposed by CH, seconded by BM that the minutes of the September meeting be adopted. All agreed and the Chairman duly signed them

6. Matters arising from the minutes - none

7. Co-option of new Members to fill the vacancies in Lower and North Wards

Three people have applied for the two vacancies and after a secret ballot, Kelly Talbot was chosen to represent Lower Ward and Michael Chattington was chosen to represent North Ward. They duly signed the Declaration Book and took their seats.

8. Report by Trevor Reynolds on the meeting with the Monitoring Officer.

He said that it had been a very useful meeting and proposed that HPC write to Perry Holmes thanking him for his efforts. This was seconded by RT.

9. Footpaths and Marsh

The Clerk read out the report by Barry Barnes, the footpaths officer. He is informed by Lafarge that HPC must request the permissive footpath from Medway Council as there needs to be a legal agreement and until this is agreed no fences or gates can be installed. It was proposed by MJ, seconded CH, that HPC approach Medway and all agreed. The Clerk will contact them.

As regards the RS320 vandals have again struck at the lifting bars and a decision needs to be taken as to whether these should be permanently bolted in position. The Clerk is to check on the legal situation.

Lafarge have insisted that they will carry out any maintenance on any paths which cross their land ie Plough, Ticker and Cam paths.

With the enthusiastic help of fellow villagers, a new perimeter footpath – starting just beyond the marsh gate and to the right – has been cut open all the way round to Maximillian Drive. When the cattle leave on 31st October, the exit gate will be unbolted for easy pedestrian access.

10.Halling Association

MF said that the application for the lower rec. project is on hold. The application for chairs in the Community Centre needs further information before a decision can be made.

11 Planning

MF said that one application had been received – MC/15/3065 – 1 Mount Pleasant, Bradley Road, Upper Halling – two storey side extension. The Parish Council had no comments on this.

12. Cemetery

MF said that he is still getting complaints about the state of the cemetery. The Community Pay Back scheme has been cutting the grass but this has finished for the year. He proposed in principal that HPC should make a donation to the PCC towards the cost of grass cutting. He and MJ will get an idea of the cost of grass cutting from Medway Norse.

13. Lower Recreation Ground

Les Hitchcock read out Maria Cook’s report following a meeting of the project team.

HPC did not get a grant from Sport England this time but can reapply in the New Year. The application to Veolia is due to be decided in December 2015.

14. Redrow Homes

Richard Thorne reported on his meeting with Chris Lilley, the Managing Director for the South East. Among the things discussed were as follows:

1. The delay in the reopening of the RS201 is caused by the underground piple line.

2. The footbridge over the A228 will be started next year.

3. Redrow are to join Halling Association

4. Redrow to designate football pitches and changing rooms. These should be ready for the start of the 2016/7 season. CH asked if these were going to be gifted to HPC

5. Redrow are looking to purchase woodland to the north west of the site. CH said that this land was going to be for recreation not housing.

6. Formby Terrace is being demolished soon

7. The Blue Lake has been sold to Medway Diving club who will maintain it.

8. The sewage pipe is not going through the village but will run alongside the A228 to Holborough. CH asked how they were going to manage this. MJ is concerned at the increase in traffic on the A228.

In conclusion RT said that he will continue to liaise with Redrow and get formal meetings with HPC underway.

15 Jubilee Hall

Mark Joy said they had a successful Quiz Night and raised £118.00. 50 % of this will be used for family night on 31st October.

16 Halling in Bloom

Richard Thorne said that in his travels around the Country, he had seen many signs for “Village in Bloom” He suggested that Halling might like to do this and perhaps funding could be obtained from the Ward Fund. He will obtain costings and report to the next meeting.

17. Seal naming competition

The Assistant Clerk reported that the school had taken this on board and will have the names ready by half term. It is to be judged by Ken Brown who took the original photo of the seal in the river. The Sea Life centre in London have sent complimentary tickets for the winner and their family.

18. Christmas decorations for Upper Halling

The Clerks had investigated the cost of solar powered trees which were very expensive at £200 each whether they were purchased or leased. It was decided not to proceed with this. The provision of an ice rink was discussed perhaps inside the Community Centre. It was proposed by MF, seconded by GW, that £2,000 from the unspent events budget of £4,000 be used towards the cost of the Christmas event. All agreed.

The date for the delivery of the tree for the Community Centre is 28th November with the Carol Service and the switching on of the lights being one week later on 5th December at 6.00 pm.

19. Poppy Collection.

It was decided that nobody would be pressured into doing house to house collections but we would just have to relay on the static points in the Church, shops and pubs.

20. Kent Community Rail Partnership

BM reported on the meeting of the group on 15th September 2015.

Network Rail have started work on the footbridge at Halling Station on 3rd October. This includes replacement of the footsteps and decking plus shot blasting of the structure and a complete repaint. A general repaint of the station will take place over to next few months. Two notice boards have been installed and it is hoped that displays of the school children’s work will be displayed in them. There has been a “deep clean” of the station to include clearing vegetation, new rubbish bin and repairs to a coping stone. It is hoped to install a new ticket machine which will accept debit and credit cards but not cash. Network Rail is waiting fro Section 106 monies from Redrow before installing new shelters but are hoping to receive more funding to enable them to be of a better design. BM is very keen to establish a “Friends of Halling Station” for the village to help keep it tidy and litter free and this could include the provision of floral displays. The village is very lucky to have such a well sited station but we do need to look after it. This will be a worthwhile project for 2016 once the refurbishment has been completed.

21. Policing in the village

See Parishioners Questions.

22/23. Receipts and Payments

23/09/2015

Lizzie Hilder

Advert in Halling View

45.00

Budget Head

Net

Vat

Gross

Date

Total

Needing ratification

26/08/2015

Total Property

Marsh stiles

EST

48.00

48.00

28/08/2015

Ben Cook

Work on Recs/paths

EST

145.00

145.00

02/09/2015

Scarbutts Printers

Printing Halling View

HV

890.00

890.00

02/09/2015

Total Property

Seat repairs

EST

92.00

92.00

02/09/2015

Total Property

Dehumidifier hire

F/S

60.00

60.00

02/09/2015

Total Property

barrier fencing

EST

58.00

58.00

11/09/2015

Ben Cook

Recs and path

EST

105.00

105.00

14/09/2015

Halling Minors FC

Donation

Section 137

80.00

80.00

23/09/2015

Ben Cook

Litter picks and bins

EST

50.00

50.00

28/09/2015

PKF Littlejohn LLP

Audit fees

G/A

400.00

80.00

480.00

30/09/2015

BT

Phone and broadband

G/A

179.62

35.94

215.56

30/09/2015

Tom Bailey

Work on JH car pk and rec

EST

110.50

110.50

2218.12

115.94

2334.06

It was proposed by MJ, seconded by LH, that the above payments be ratified. All agreed.

24 Dates of forthcoming meetings of the Parish Council

10th November 2015 at the Jubilee Hall at 7.30 pm.

25 Any other business

The Clerk passed round details of the KALC AGM to be held on 27th November at Ditton Community Centre.

Closed Session

The Clerk and Assistant Clerk left the meeting for this item.

26. Standards Committee – feedback from the Committee and recommendations of actions to be taken

The Clerk and his assistant re-entered the meeting.

27. Halling Fire Station

CH said that he concerned by comments about HPC’s expectations. He proposed that HPC considers any offer received of £175,000 or above. This was seconded by MJ. All agreed apart from MF and MC who voted against.

28. KCC Legal scheme– payment of legal fees update

The Clerk said that no payment has been made. It was proposed by TR, seconded by MJ, that HPC does not renew its membership of the scheme. All agreed.